TRAVELS IN INDIA
LADAKH
(THE BUDDHIST TRAIL - Cultural Heritage Of Ladakh)

Ladakh Festival

Hemis Gompa

Ladakh so rich in Culture and History with it’s magnificent ‘Gompas’ (monasteries) and stark but beautiful landscape will forever hold a special place in my heart…I will always remember fondly the generosity of the people of Leh and the kind hospitality of the Army which made my trip so memorable. They were simply the perfect hosts eager to interpret the culture and explain the history and lifestyle of Ladakh to me.All of them contributed so much to my trip in terms of memories and wonderful experiences.

My experience there has left a deep impression on my mind and I know that I will go back there time and again. Once one visits Ladakh one falls in love with it forever…According to me Ladakh is purely Heaven on Earth…The untouched serenity of the place and the simplicity of the people there brought a lot of calmness and happiness to me. Ladakh being home to Buddhism too would always be a spiritual retreat for me in my lifetime…

My visit to Leh completely revitalized me. I felt a sense of belonging even though I was visiting for the first time. All whom I met during my stay there helped create a beautiful experience for me.I wanted to know more about the time my grandfather (1958-1962) and father (early 1970) spent there. Everybody helped me get acquainted with the people who had interacted with my grandfather long time ago.

While I was in Leh, I visited the monasteries which conceal gold statues and ‘thankas’. I particularly enjoyed visiting ‘Thicksey’. The prayer wheels at the entrance have always been a source of delight to me… I thoroughly enjoyed my drive on the way to the gompas too. The clear blue sky, fresh air, stone walls and houses in the villages made the journey more beautiful. On my way to the gompas we stopped a couple of times so that I could take pictures of the stunning scenery, ‘Shey Palace’, ‘Stupas’ and landscape. The majestic and pristine white imposing structure of Shey Palace perched so high and glittering in the sun looked so ethereal and it captured my heart and soul immediately. We passed ‘Karu’ village on the way to ‘Hemis Gompa’ and I found the view of ‘Karu’ village exceptionally picturesque and refreshingly inviting. The vast expanse of land gave a sense of openness and made me feel free in the true sense.

My visit to Pang Gong Tso Lake was worth remembering too. It interested me the most… It was certainly adventurous but brought with it the most beautiful moments as it brought me so close to nature. I even stopped to take pictures of the 'Yak'. My travel to the Lake reconnected me with nature and reminded me how intimidating yet so beautiful nature could be. It revealed the mysteries of nature to me in the vibrant shades and colours of the landscapes and deep blue water. It was the most amazing experience for me to watch the changing colours of the mountains as the sun passed them and the various shades of blue and green that the lake reflected as the sun rays touched them.

A short but relaxing walk along the ‘Sindhu River’ on my last day there yet again reminded me of how amazing and beautiful the gift of nature is…The area was scenically stunning.

I also enjoyed my visits to the shopping area (market town as it’s referred to) where everyone was so generous and invited me for tea all the time which made the shopping trip all the more pleasant and personal. The delicious taste of the cheesecake I had at ‘German Bakery’ still lingers on in my mind and the atmosphere at the various Cafes and restaurants I visited there are just unforgettable. I had the most exceptional food experience at some of the restaurants there specially ‘Bon A Petit’. The ambience there matched the mood of the evening.

I enjoyed the tranquillity and peaceful environment of the ‘Shanti Stupa’ too. The view of Leh from there was just breathtaking…As the sun teased the mountains by hiding behind them, a new beautiful picture of the mountains unfolded itself being enveloped in the darkness. It fascinated me to see how the mountains stood apart from the sky and exhibited an alluring remoteness. There were some Japanese tourists there at the time that were playing the drums and the sound of the music echoed in the stillness of the evening as if beckoning the mountains to come greet us. The haunting music made the entire atmosphere very spiritual even in the absence of chanting. It rejuvenated and renewed my tired spirit and soul considering it was my first day there.

Ladakh festival made me go back in time and get in touch with what it must have been back then when people were adorned with those beautiful costumes. The dances were very impressive.Each step and movement were so deliberate and graceful that it reminded me of some sacred ritual of ancient times.

I sensed in my days there that while we may have forgotten the art of living the people, the inhabitants of Ladakh knew how to cherish this precious gift of life. What we have lost in the cities, they have preserved in terms of values, sentiments, lifestyle, traditions and cultures. Julley Ladakh !